Furrows Aid Pine Survival During Drought
During a dry spring and summer season in east Texas, pine seedlings that had been planted in furrows survived and grew better than those in sod. Mulching the seedlings with sawdust was not helpful, either in the furrows or on sod. Loblolly (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings were planted in 14-inch-wide furrows and natural sod, with and without sawdust mulch. The planting site, an open field with Cahaba soils, had been burned in December 1959. The furrows, about 3 inches deep, were plowed shortly before the pines were planted in late January of 1960. Pine sawdust was spread 2 inches thick in a 14-inch-wide strip over the planting row. Seedlings were 4 feet apart in the row, with rows spaced on 6-foot centers.
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Author(s): John J. Stransky
Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Issue 53 (1962)